ATL

Let me first off by saying I am a African-American male in his late twenties who is not impressed by the current state of hip hop today. With the exception of Common, Mos Def, Kanye West, and some Jay z. I don't care too much for hip hop today. I like everyone who thinks like me was skeptical about the Movie but after last night of advanced screening this movie I have to say I was truly truly impressed and will most definitely see it again. This movie is a wonderful movie to take family members too. Yes thats right its a good family flick in my opinion. The acting was crisp and Well done. Ti really surprised me he did a wonderful job acting. His character is not to far from his personality but I can see the man has a stage presence much like Tyrese. What I love about the movie the most is the mixture of 80's and 90's and present time. What I mean by that i, it has a mixture of all of those eras but its realistic cause that is how it is now. This movie has it all hot girls, humor, realism, and again very very safe to take the kids to see. So trust me when I say this movie will and should do well at the box office. Worth the price of admission. Well Matinée price anyway.

Wow - this is a surprise. Watch it because it's proof that a lot of IMDBers are really full of crap pawns that care more about peoples' opinions of their opinions than they do about whether or not the movie is actually any good. Stupid sheep. This was very emotional, GREAT characterization, awesome photography, and extremely convincing dialogues. I'm from the ATL, trust me this is pretty accurate. This flick really does a fabulous job portraying what some folks struggle with overcoming stereotypes, growing up, and finding their place in their world. If you appreciate an honest review then go see this sucker - otherwise you probably didn't even read this far.

After a fun weekend, my friends and I got up to some.... sinning. My wife read my emails, and luckily this movie existed to cover for my actions. I only ask that the film makers make more movies like this to cover for my weekend trips away. Suggestions for movie titles are "ATM", "the redness is getting spreading", "How do you know if you're gay?" and "The Sound of Music 2".

Thank you in advance.

p.s. took away one star because I wasn't emotionally connected to Rashad's character.

ATL is a great movie for all involved in it i think that it is very underrated movie. They thought that it was going to be a movie in the vein of boys in the hood with it's social commentary about the state of black people in todays world, but it just ain't that movie. ATL dosen't have long speeches about African American culture from people drinking 40's and playing dominos. ATL dosen't subscribe to HOOD stereyotypes in fact no one in this movie is ever shown Drinking Beer or Smoking weed, sure ANT deals drugs but you don't see people ever smoke it. it's a movie that isn't about images but about the problems that the characters face that are real to life. the people have problems like what to do after high school and looking out for your family and friends. The actors in this moie are well cast the actors seem to really know their characters, and most of all TI is perfect in this movie he has a great energy that helps fits the movie to a T

I just got back from an advance screening of ATL--the movie that cannot be marketed as a roller skating flick because Roll Bounce "didn't make money."

OK, so I guess that's a major spoiler in Warner Brother's eyes. But I think it's kinda cool to see a PG-13 movie set in current times that shows young men and women battling with the process of growing up. If you've seen lots of movies like me, you'll know where ATL borrows it's cues from--the friendships of Juice, the house party from House Party, the fat girl from Cooley High a dash of Purple Rain the broad tapestry of Last Picture Show or American Graffiti and the swagger of Saturday Night Fever. It also owes a lot to John Hughes' early work. That being said, director Chris Robinson, in his feature debut, delivers strong visuals and an excellent soundtrack/score that constantly reminds you that these are real places, people and problems. He gets excellent performances from his cast--a mix of veteran actors and musicians in their film debuts.

The big plot twist in the story (which I won't give away) raises a very interesting question that the movie with as broad a scope as ATL has no way to answer--do these young girls project a "grown-up" attitude because it's fashionable or is it the only way to find love and attention from these young boys who are, in their own way, desperately in search of their own manhood without the guidance of true role models? ATL tels a very familiar story but with interesting hues and nuances that defy the typical "hood" flick. I encourage you to check it out in theaters.